Pat's Liturgical Observations

In addition to our wonderful Christmas music, listen for some special music during Advent. Third Advent will bring us a Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent in Eveleth and Virginia and a Special Program in Ely.

East Range Episcopal Churches' News

Christmas Service Schedule

Dec 24:
2:00 PM: St. Mary’s, Ely
4:30 PM: St. Mary’s, Tower
7:00 PM: St. John’s, Eveleth
9:00 PM: St. Paul’s, Virginia
Dec 25:
9:00 AM: St. John’s, Eveleth
10:30 AM: St. Paul’s, Virginia

Annual Meetings

The following Annual Meetings of our Congregations have been set:
Sunday, January 15, 2006, St. Paul’s Annual Meeting immediately following the service.
Saturday, January 21, 2006, St. Mary’s Annual Meeting immediately following the service.
Sunday, January 22, 2006, St. John’s Annual Meeting and Potluck Luncheon immediately following the service.
Under the canons of the Diocese of Minnesota, this announcement serves as the offical notice required for annual meetings.

The Seekers

An open group for reflection and discussion gathering on Sundays from 12:15 to 1:45 PM at St. Paul’s. Everyone is welcome. There will be no meetings on 4th Advent (Christmas Pageant), Christmas and New Year’s Days, on Annual Meeting Sundays and on the 5th Sunday.
December 4 & 11 - Reflections on the Advent Readings
January 8 - The Sacred Circle: Native American Spirituality

Youth Group/Confirmation Meetings

Youth Group/Confirmation meets Sunday Dec. 4 and January 8 at 5:30 at St. Paul’s..

East Range Christmas Pageant

The East Range Christmas Pageant will be on Sunday, Dec. 18 at St. Paul's, Virginia at 10:30 am. There will be a rehearsal and “costume fitting” at 10:00 Saturday, Dec. 17. The annual production is open to children, youth and adults of all ages. Contact Gail Coon with any questions or suggestions (Home: 218-744-5138; Work:218-744-5099; Cell: 218-780-4206 or swancoon@rangenet.com).

Diocesan Convention

The 148th Convention of the Diocese of Minnesota was held on Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29 at the St. Paul River Centre.

The convention began with a Service of Light, at which the Rev Bill Tully, St. Bartholomew’s in New York City, gave the homily.

All business was conducted on Friday. The key items were:
1- An adjustment to the third year of the present Triennial Budget passed by a narrow margin. This budget cuts all program funding due to reduced income from the Apportionment for the Common Good.
2- Of the three resolutions offered for vote, two (Supporting the General Convention 2003 Millennium Development Goals; Recommending the Celebration of a Creation Season) passed and one (Commending the Windsor Report) did not pass.
3- The Metro Mission Strategy Committee presented a report on approaching what the congregations in the “metro area” should be doing. The committee started with two questions (What is God doing in our midst? What does God want to do?) in an attempt to place the Episcopal Church in Minnesota in the context of history, core values, membership patterns and changes, diocesan organization and structure and best practices (both by other denominations in Minnesota and by other dioceses of the Episcopal Church, USA). The Metro Mission Strategy Committee hopes to discern a shared ministry for the diverse congregations of the Twin Cities metro area and provide a model for mission strategy in the Diocese of Minnesota as a whole.

The keynote speaker, the Rev Bill Tully, presented his approach to Congregational Development. When he began his ministry at St. Bartholomew’s he asked one question of his vestry on every decision that was discussed: Will this help us to grow or not?

He urged his vestry to consider everything they do using the idea that if what they are doing will not help the congregation grow, then that program, that event, that activity must go (he called it “Grow or Go”).

When Tully took over as rector, he found a burnt out and exhausted leadership and a congregation with a belief in the inevitability of decline. There were chronic budget deficits and “mission drift” (no focus but lots of pointless activity). When hired, he saw three options for this centuries old congregation:
1: Become a museum
2: Just continue maintenance
3: Go all the way with change
Vestry wanted to go with the change option because they wanted to grow and stay alive. With that decision, Tully reminded the vestry, “We will grow and you won’t like it – and I won’t like it either!” It was his way to say that growth means change and change is hard. We cannot control the direction of change if we are to grow.

Tully’s approach began by asking his vestry to think about the needs of those who are on their way into a church. Needs can be as simple as “how do I find the restroom” or a complex as “how can I find God here”.

In the next issue of the Epistle we will look at some of the ideas that the Rev Bill Tully presented at the Diocesan Convention.

St. John's Episcopal Church News (Submitted by Jane Kingston)

Special 2005 Matching Gift

We're almost there! We need just $700 more to secure the $2000 gift – which will result in $4000 overall! If you haven't made your commitment yet…please do so today and help Saint John's take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!! Just call any vestry member with your pledge, or deliver your check marked “Special Matching Gift” before year's end, and a tremendous thank you all those who have already donated!

Vestry Notes

From the meeting of November 10, 2005:
?+Treasurer's Report for October 2005: expenditures $2,683.27, receipts $610.96, $2,072.31 monthly deficit, checking account balance $3,203.90. YTD actual disbursements $26,443. YTD receipts $15,676. CD #20553 worth $15,000 was cashed and transferred into checking account – now rendering $18,203.90 checking account balance – without which we would not have met 2005 expenses.
+ 3-Point East Range Churches event is scheduled for 6:30 PM Tuesday, November 22 at St. John's. Volunteers are needed to prepare refreshments. Dual meetings on the 2006 budget (to be held downstairs) and creative outreach (to be held upstairs) will be conducted.
+ Convention report from Pat: 2006 Apportion-ment, Compensation/Benefits, Insurance and Tax Policies, Procedures and Guidelines booklet was received. Compensation will be raised 3% for COLA (mandatory). Health insurance rates were also increased. More detail forthcoming. Questionnaire on Building and Property needs to be completed and returned to Real Estate Committee Chair by November 30 (TK to handle). Church growth was addressed at length and will be reported upon at upcoming annual meeting. Five new Native American parish/mission deacons were ordained, four of which are Native Americans themselves.
+ TKingston reported that liability insurance rates were raised ($925 to $1323 annually) due to mandatory coverage of officers/directors not required last year. Tom will research this requirement as well as competitors' rates.
+ An alternative delivery address will be arranged to relieve Harvey Construction from receiving UPS packages.
+ Because there was no volunteer to serve in a stewardship position for 2006, Pat will take necessary action herself to secure congregants' next year's pledges of time, talent, and treasure. Thank you, Mother Pat! Please consider carefully what God wants of us individually and as a whole, and step up accordingly! Each of us is needed now more than ever!
Rector’s Report
+ In addition to her input on Convention and Stewardship, Mother Pat gave thanks for the blessing of lovely music being offered at our services. Pat will coordinate special music presentations with Nancy during Advent, possibly featuring Youth and Taizé chant.
+ Pat will not be present at 12/11 services, and is arranging for service coverage and music.
+ While everyone is always welcome to attend 3-point gatherings, Pat especially encourages everyone to come to the November 22 event to hear Tom Campbell's presentation – he is truly gifted and inspirational!

Unique Holiday Gift Idea

If you are seeking a unique and regional gift this season, pick up a Saint John’s Guild Cookbook for $15! These commemorative cookbooks were prepared in celebration of our 100 year anniversary in 2002. They are really a window into the past, featuring over 100 pages of circa 1924 recipes and advertisements. You'll find the strange and wonderful recipes illustrating what people were preparing to eat back then sometimes strange and always entertaining, and the advertisements are worth the price alone! Give Jane a call (218-744-3833) to arrange for pick-up or delivery. Happy Holidays!

St. John's Reminders and Notices

+ Saint John's is looking for a provider of paid snow removal services this winter. Interested parties please call the Kingstons (218-744-3833).
+ Candidates are needed for two open vestry positions – we need you!!

News of St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Submitted by Mary Groeninger)

Gifts That Give Sale

St. Mary’s will be part of the Ely Gifts that Give Sale on Saturday, December 3, 11-2, at Ely Presby-terian Church. Shoppers will have the opportunity to make donations and buy gifts that support local nonprofit and international relief organizations. Organizations represented at the fair will include Heifer Fund, Church World Service, Habitat for Humanity, the Association for Retarded Citizens, Ely Community Resources, and Friends of the Library. Lunch will be served, and all proceeds from the meal will be donated to the Ely Food Shelf. St. Mary’s will sponsor a SERRV table, selling fairly traded handcrafted items made by farmers and artisans in low-income regions of the world. There will be live music and Advent crafts and projects to make as well. Come for lunch, Christmas shopping, and good cheer!

New Worship Space

St. Mary’s is now worshipping at the Mary Brown Environmental Retreat Center on Central Avenue in Ely. Look for the Episcopal Church sign on the right, eight blocks south of Piragis.

Advent Wreath Making

All are invited for Advent Wreath making from 3:30-4:30 on the first Saturday of Advent (all materials provided), a Saint Nicholas day celebration the second Saturday, and more in the weeks ahead as the spirit of the season inspires us!

News of St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Christmas Poinsettias

Poinsettias may be purchased for St. Paul’s Christmas services for $10.00 each. You may take the plants home after the services or leave them at the church. Colors available are: red, white, pink, jingle bells or marble. To order or for more information, Contact Gail Coon: (Home: 218-744-5138; Work: 218-744-5099; or email: swancoon@rangenet.com)

Women's Christmas Party

Women's Christmas Party for all three parishes will be held at Marlene Munig’s at 12:30 pm on Saturday, December 10. This will be a planned potluck. Call Marlene (218-741-3077) with your choice of dish.

Special Appeal

Because many in our area (some in our congregation) are already struggling to pay heating bills, a problem that can only become more dire as winter progresses, members may wish to make special contributions to Bev’s Magic Penny which already is providing assistance to those struggling to pay utility bills from its limited funds.

U.T.O. Update

The amount realised to date for the November U.T.O collection stands at $549.54. Thank you to all who contributed. Pam McIntosh.

Vestry Notes

Unofficial Minutes of the Vestry Meeting of November 15, 2005:

The Planning Committee:

Calendar events:
Pies for Thanksgiving — November 20
Baptism for Trey — December 3
2006 Pledge Cards Due — December 4
Christmas Program — December 18
Christmas Eve Service — December 24, 9 p.m.
Christmas Day Service — 10:30 a.m.

Outreach

Because so many in our area may have trouble paying heating bills this winter, Including, perhaps, some in our own church community, the vestry thought members might wish to make special contributions to Bev's Magic Penny to provide assistance with the utility bills of those struggling to pay them.

Building and Grounds/Restoration:

1) Will and Erwin Coon finished the rain water drainage work at the rear of the church. The vestry thanked both for their strenuous work on our behalf.
2) Will said he would look into installing programmable thermostats in the church.
Restoration
Marlene suggested we distribute the list of restoration work completed and in progress at the Annual Meeting and said she would contact donors for our new windows to view them and attend our work accomplished celebration in May.

Region II/Diocese:

1) Marlene reported that Region II focused its last meeting (held at St. Paul’s) on current financial difficulties besetting all churches and how clergy were caught between serving their own basic financial needs and those of the congregations they are called to serve.
2) Pat, Cheryl Killien, and Chuck Morello attended the Diocesan Convention which focused this year on church growth. Motion approved that the church pay the $155 expenses for Cheryl to attend.

Finance:

1) Ham Dinner — Receipts and bills are not all in, but it was clear we served fewer meals than in 2004.
2) The vestry reviewed the proposal of The Church Insurance Company of Vermont, a subsidiary of the Episcopal Church Pension Group. Motion passed that we change our church insurance carrier from Church Mutual to The Church Insurance Company because it seemed to offer better coverage at about $450 less yearly cost to us.

Rector:

1) Pat reviewed the current stewardship program she and Joie are coordinating as it moves toward the first Sunday in Advent when pledge cards for 2006 are due.
2) She presented the Safe Church Diocesan Policy document, saying it was necessary for the vestry to acknowledge its receipt and approve its content (even if we have reservations). Deanne agreed to read the policy and report back at the December meeting.
3) Pat said during Advent this year we will have a service from the Book of Occasional Services and some special music and chants she is preparing with Joie.

Treasurers Reports:

St. Paul's —The October treasurer's report for St. Paul's prepared by Barbara Strickland was distributed and discussed. It was noted that we now have transferred $6,000 from rectory savings to pay general expenses.
3-Point — Joanne presented the 3-point treasurer's report. The vestry discussed the need of our three churches to find a replacement for Joanne who would like to leave that post.

New Business:

1) The vestry discussed replacements to its membership that will become necessary to enact at the Annual Meeting, including a replacement for Junior Warden. Because of our church size and the difficulty each year of securing 9 willing regular vestry members and two wardens, Motion was approved to propose to the membership a 6 member vestry plus the two wardens.
2) Cheryl initiated a discussion of the need and possible means of church growth. The vestry discussed both at length and will continue to do so, most immediately at the 3-point meeting on Stewardship at St. John's on November 22.